This Chicken Parmesan recipe transforms simple ingredients into a satisfying dish with golden, crispy breaded chicken enveloped in sumptuous marinara and fresh mozzarella. With every bite of this Crispy Chicken Parmesan Recipe, experience the exquisite balance of crunchy crust, melty cheese and tangy tomato sauce that elevates a timeless favorite.

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I’ve loved experimenting with simple recipes and this Easy Crispy Chicken Parmesan Recipe has quickly become one of my favorites. I always make sure to start off with 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts pounded to about 1/2 inch thick, then season them with about 1 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp of freshly ground black pepper.

After dredging them in 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, I dip them in a mixture of 2 large eggs and 1/4 cup milk before coating with 1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs combined with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. I then fry the breaded chicken breast in 1/4 cup olive oil, creating that perfect golden, crispy texture.

After that, I bake them with about 2 cups of marinara sauce and 8 oz of fresh mozzarella cheese, melting over the top. It comes out as a satisfying meal that’s both nutritious and super flavorful, a real win for any chicken dishes recipes you’ve tried before.

Why I Like this Recipe

I love this recipe because the chicken always comes out super crispy on the outside but still nice and tender on the inside, which makes every bite awesome. I also like that the steps are simple enough that even if Im a little clumsy in the kitchen, I can still nail it without too much stress. The mix of melty mozzarella and tangy marinara is just perfect, and it gives me so many happy taste buds even when im having a rough day. Finally, the way all the flavors come together with the fresh basil garnish makes it feel like a real treat that always leaves me wanting more.

Ingredients

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Chicken breasts: Lean protein that helps build muscle while keeping meals light and tasty.
Eggs: Bind ingredients together and add extra protein for a better, crispier crust.
Italian breadcrumbs: Offer a crunchy texture from refined carbs that make each bite delightful.
Marinara sauce: Bursting with tangy tomato flavor and just the right hint of sweetness.
Fresh mozzarella: Provides a creamy, gooey texture and rich taste when melted over chicken.
Olive oil: Enhances overall flavor and helps achieve a crispy, golden coat with ease.
All-purpose flour: Gives a light coating for crispiness and balanced texture that fries evenly.
Fresh basil: Adds herby freshness and extra aroma for an authentic finish each time.

Ingredient Quantities

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (pounded to about 1/2 inch thick)

Salt, to taste (about 1 tsp)

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste (around 1/2 tsp)

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

2 large eggs

1/4 cup milk

1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup olive oil (might need a bit extra for frying)

2 cups marinara sauce

8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced

Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

How to Make this

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1. Preheat your oven to 400°F and set up a shallow dish with flour. Season the chicken breasts with about 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper.

2. In a separate bowl, beat 2 large eggs with 1/4 cup milk until well mixed.

3. In a third bowl, combine 1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.

4. Dredge each chicken breast in the flour, then dip them into the egg mixture and finally coat them evenly with the breadcrumb mixture.

5. Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat (you might need a bit extra if the pan looks too dry).

6. Once the oil is hot, gently add the chicken breasts and fry them for about 3-4 minutes on each side until they are a nice golden brown.

7. Transfer the fried chicken breasts to a baking dish.

8. Pour 2 cups of marinara sauce evenly over the chicken breasts.

9. Place 8 oz of fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced, on top of each breast.

10. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melty and bubbly, then serve garnished with fresh basil leaves if desired. Enjoy!

Equipment Needed

1. Preheated oven (set to 400°F)
2. Shallow dish for holding all-purpose flour
3. Bowl for beating eggs and mixing milk
4. Another bowl for mixing Italian seasoned breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan
5. Measuring cups and spoons for salt, milk, and olive oil
6. Whisk or fork for beating the eggs
7. Large skillet for frying the chicken breasts
8. Baking dish to transfer the chicken after frying
9. Tongs or spatula for flipping and moving the chicken around
10. Timer or clock to keep track of cook times

FAQ

Q: Do I really need to pound the chicken breasts thin?

A: Yes, pounding the chicken to about 1/2 inch thick helps it cook evenly and gets that crispy texture you look for.

Q: What can I use instead of Italian seasoned breadcrumbs?

A: If you dont have Italian breadcrumbs, you can mix regular breadcrumbs with dried basil, oregano, and a little garlic powder.

Q: Can I bake the chicken instead of frying it?

A: Sure you can! Just preheat your oven to 400°F and bake for about 20 min, but it wont be as crispy as frying.

Q: How do I make sure the chicken doesn't get soggy from the marinara?

A: Make sure to fry the chicken properly and let any extra oil drain off before adding the sauce and cheese, so the crust stays crispy.

Q: Is fresh basil necessary for this recipe?

A: No, fresh basil is optional. It adds a nice fresh flavor but you can skip it if you dont have any on hand.

Easy Crispy Chicken Parmesan Recipe Substitutions and Variations

If you run out of all-purpose flour, you can use a gluten-free flour blend or even rice flour which works pretty well for dredging.
If you don’t have Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, try using plain panko breadcrumbs mixed with dried oregano, basil, and a pinch of garlic powder.
Instead of milk, you can substitute with almond milk. It’s lighter and gives a slightly nutty twist to the egg mixture.
For marinara sauce, you could swap it out with a spicy arrabbiata sauce if you like a bit more kick in your dish.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure the chicken is pounded evenly so it cooks uniformly. This helps avoid parts getting overdone while others still need more time.

2. Before frying, check that your oil is hot enough by dropping a little breadcrumb into it. If it sizzles right away, youre all set, if not, give it a few more seconds.

3. Try adding a bit of extra garlic or some dried oregano into the marinara sauce for a flavor boost. It gives the dish a richer taste thats hard to beat.

4. When layering on the cheese, spread out the slices evenly so every bite gets that melty, gooey magic. And if you mess up a bit, it adds character just like a homecooked meal should.

Easy Crispy Chicken Parmesan Recipe

Recipe by James Level

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

700

kcal

Equipment: 1. Preheated oven (set to 400°F)
2. Shallow dish for holding all-purpose flour
3. Bowl for beating eggs and mixing milk
4. Another bowl for mixing Italian seasoned breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan
5. Measuring cups and spoons for salt, milk, and olive oil
6. Whisk or fork for beating the eggs
7. Large skillet for frying the chicken breasts
8. Baking dish to transfer the chicken after frying
9. Tongs or spatula for flipping and moving the chicken around
10. Timer or clock to keep track of cook times

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (pounded to about 1/2 inch thick)
Salt, to taste (about 1 tsp)
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste (around 1/2 tsp)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
1/4 cup milk
1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup olive oil (might need a bit extra for frying)
2 cups marinara sauce
8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Directions

Preheat your oven to 400°F and set up a shallow dish with flour. Season the chicken breasts with about 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper.
In a separate bowl, beat 2 large eggs with 1/4 cup milk until well mixed.
In a third bowl, combine 1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
Dredge each chicken breast in the flour, then dip them into the egg mixture and finally coat them evenly with the breadcrumb mixture.
Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat (you might need a bit extra if the pan looks too dry).
Once the oil is hot, gently add the chicken breasts and fry them for about 3-4 minutes on each side until they are a nice golden brown.
Transfer the fried chicken breasts to a baking dish.
Pour 2 cups of marinara sauce evenly over the chicken breasts.
Place 8 oz of fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced, on top of each breast.
Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melty and bubbly, then serve garnished with fresh basil leaves if desired. Enjoy!

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 400g
Total number of serves: 4
Calories: 700kcal
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Polyunsaturated: 4g
Monounsaturated: 16g
Cholesterol: 130mg
Sodium: 1000mg
Potassium: 600mg
Carbohydrates: 50g
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 6g
Protein: 50g
Vitamin A: 800IU
Vitamin C: 10mg
Calcium: 250mg
Iron: 3mg

Easy Crispy Chicken Parmesan Recipe

Why I Like this Recipe

Ingredients

Ingredient Quantities

How to Make this

Equipment Needed

FAQ

Easy Crispy Chicken Parmesan Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Pro Tips